By Sylvia Horton and David FarnhamThis wide-ranging text analyses the key developments and changes in the management of the major public services in Britain during the 1990s. Designed as a successor to the editors’ highly successful Managing the New Public Services, the book places public management and, in particular, the ‘Third Way’ as adopted by New Labour, in its economic, political and historical context, including the impact of globalization and European
integration. Extended case studies illustrate and highlight key stages in the transformation of management and the book concludes with an evaluation and critique of two decades of managerial reform and a discussion of the way forward in the new millennium.

The contract with the Employment Service’s IT partner has been extended to further transform the way Jobcentres do business with both employers and people looking for work.The extra deal is worth a further five hundred million pounds and will give Jobcentres the ability to promote not just local vacancies, but every vacancy in the country.

New research suggests the civil service is becoming a more flexible employer. ‘Flexi-Exec: case studies of senior staff working reduced hours’, has been prepared by New Ways to Work, a national work life balance charity.It reviews the reality of work life balance at senior levels in the public and private sector, and finds that civil service staff working reduced hours at senior level are successful, generally satisfied with their arrangements and are as committed as their full-time colleagues.